THIS weekend sees Dorchester go carnival crazy as the annual fun-packed event takes place through the county town’s streets and park.

Looking Back reader Stephen Rose sent us these wonderful pictures dating back to 1979 and showing a number of regular patrons of Goldies in High East Street really getting into the carnival spirit.

The lads all dressed up as jockeys and rode hobbyhorses in the procession. Much to their surprise, they even won a trophy or two for their efforts.

Mr Rose, who lives in Linden Avenue, remembered: “There were a number of us and we all used to go to Goldies where we played football and skittles and just met up for a drink.

“We thought it would be good fun to enter the carnival, so that’s what we did. We were just a bunch of lads having a laugh and a good time but we did manage to win a couple of trophies, although we never set out to!”

Mr Rose said the man in the red jockey silks is a Peter Holmes, and added that the procession left from the old Thomas Hardye School site in Barnes Way.

“I shall be going to the carnival this weekend too,” he added.